Go to the Ant
Introduction:
Our
God can take even a tiny creature like the ant and teach us lessons
about living and working. Proverbs 6:6 tells us to “go to the ant.”
See what the ants do and how they do it and learn valuable life
lessons.
Text: Proverbs 6:6-11 “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her
ways and be wise, Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, Provides
her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. How
long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep?
A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to sleep
— So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like
an armed man.” NKJV
Body:
I.
Ants Work Together As A Team
·
Ants are considered the most successful of all social
insects. They live in colonies with up to twenty million ants!
·
They are unified in their efforts; all work
toward a common goal. They provide for the ant colony and
especially the queen.
·
The early church accomplished much because
they were united. (Philippians 1:27, I Corinthians 1:10)
·
The early church also worked toward goals.
(I Corinthians 10:31, Philippians 3:14)
II.
Ants Work Efficiently
·
They don’t wait to be told what to do. Even
though they don’t have supervisors as such, yet each ant
works. They pull their own weight. They don’t have to
attend a motivational seminar. They are too busy to need
motivation! (James 2:17-18, 4:17)
·
Ants work according to their ability. Some
ants tend to the eggs in the nest, some protect the nest,
some find food for the colony, etc. Christians are given
abilities by God to use for the kingdom. He expects us to
put them to use. (I Corinthians 12:12, 14:22) God wants
His people to do their very best. (Ecclesiastes 9:10)
Everything we do reflects upon our Christian character.
III.
Ants Work for the Future
·
They provide for the future. Many anthills
are very organized with streets and supply rooms. Ants, by
instinct, know winter is coming and make preparations for
it.
·
The wise man in Proverbs 6 warns about
becoming a “sluggard.” How can you indentify a sluggard?
o
They sleep too much. (Proverbs 20:13, 19:15)
o
They make excuses. (Proverbs 22:13) A
sluggard can always find an excuse.
o
They put off work. (Proverbs 10:4-5) They
give up easily and blame others. They don’t plan.
o
They are irritating to others. (Proverbs
10:26)
Conclusion:
So
take a lesson from the ant. They are industrious, work hard and
efficiently, don’t need motivation, and plan for the future. Let us be
like the five wise virgins in Matthew 25 who worked and made provisions
for the coming of the bridegroom.
Bobby
Stafford
October 5, 2014
Video
